Royal Wootton Bassett Town put distance between themselves and third place Stockwood Wanderers with a thumping 6-1 away against their fellow South West Regional Women's Football League Division One East high-flyers.

Adam Wood's side made a lightning fast start and were 2-0 up after ten minutes courtesy of two goals seemingly no more than sixty seconds apart.

Leading scorer Hannah Gulliver opened the scoring, tapping in at the far post from a Laura Jefferies corner.

Her goal was then instantly followed by a second courtesy of Maddy Elliott - currently Gulliver's closest rival for the golden boot. From the kick off, Holly Baker stole possession in midfield and unselfishly picked out Elliott who shot beneath home 'keeper Jenna Lou Bedford.

Although 7-2 winners when the teams met earlier in the season in the Women's FA Cup, Bassett knew Stockwood would pose a threat. And the hosts almost pulled one back after Toni Blenkinsopp seized possession and fed Lauren Phillip. Blenkinsopp then got on the end of her cross but struck narrowly wide.

Gulliver then hit the crossbar before

Stockwood were able to pull one back midway through the half. Kate Whitmarsh helped on Grace Phillips' free kick delivery and Erin Vowles was on hand to steer home at the far post.

That ushered in a five minute spell when Bassett were on the ropes as Millie Powell denied Vowles an equaliser before somehow keeping out Phillip after she had danced past three defenders.

Bassett soon restored their two goal lead though. On 32 minutes Holly Baker applied a neat finish following good set up work from Laura Jefferies to produce what was a much needed goal given the short spell Stockwood had enjoyed.

The score would remain 3-1 until just before the hour mark when Caily Morse split the home defence open and Libby Davies latched onto her pass before keeping her cool for her ninth of the season.

Bassett soon had a handful as Davies returned the favour. Morse made a darting run which Davies picked up on, feeding her strike partner with a fine pass before Morse did the rest.

The visitors were now in control of the match and creating multiple chances.

However a rare opening did fall to Vowles but she shot over from a Phillip cross.

Davies then made it six with her second of the afternoon. Her initial effort after bringing down an Honor Fraser struck the bar. But Bedford was unable to snaffle the ball, allowing Davies to put the rebound away.

The result lifts Bassett five points clear of Stockwood with a game in hand still to play. And with only four games remaining for Stockwood, including the return fixture against Bassett and an away visit to Poole Town, a top two finish is now firmly in Bassett's hands.

The frustration is that, while enjoying such a strong season, Bassett may still be denied promotion given that only the division champions are guaranteed to go up.

Poole have just two games left - both at home - and if the Dolphins win those Wood and his team are very likely to have to settle for second even if they record maximum points the rest of the way.

Bassett can only control what happens to them though - and this victory was a big step towards achieving what they need to do to keep alive their promotion hopes.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 4th February 2024 at 18:59